The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) successfully tested a new long-range cruise missile over the weekend, state media reported on Monday.

The missiles are "a strategic weapon of great significance" and flew 1,500 kilometers before hitting their targets and falling into the country's territorial waters during the tests held on Saturday and Sunday, the KCNA said.

The DPRK's latest missile tests took place amid gridlock over talks aimed at dismantling its nuclear and ballistic missile programs in return for U.S. sanctions relief. The talks have stalled since 2019.

"In all, the efficiency and practicality of the weapon system operation was confirmed to be excellent," the KCNA said.

DPRK leader Kim Jong Un said earlier this year that developing smaller bombs was a top goal.

The Republic of Korea (ROK)'s military did not disclose whether it had detected the tests but said on Monday it was conducting a detailed analysis in cooperation with the United States.

The test provides "strategic significance of possessing another effective deterrence means for more reliably guaranteeing the security of our state and strongly containing the military maneuvers of the hostile forces," the KCNA said.

"In this course, detailed tests of missile parts, scores of engine ground thrust tests, various flight tests, control and guidance tests, warhead power tests, etc., were conducted with success."

China on Monday called for restraint and encouraged relevant parties to meet each other halfway and solve problems through dialogues, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told reporters at Monday's press briefing.

China called on both sides to push forward the political settlement of the Peninsula issues under a parallel and "step by step" principle, said Zhao.

(With input from agencies)

(Cover: DPRK leader Kim Jong Un supervises a ballistic rocket launching drill of Hwasong artillery units of the Strategic Force of the Korean People's Army. /Reuters)